Chapter 7: Diner of The Dead Pt 1

I don't own anything. Resident Evil belongs to Capcom and Tomb Raider belongs to Core Design, Crystal Dynamics, and I think Square Enix. The only thing I own is the changes made to the stories of the Tomb Raider games/comics and Resident Evil games/comics/CG movies, the Government branch S.P.E.L.L., the person that has taken over Kathrine Warren's life, and Rose Warren. This story also will be bloody, violent, and have cursing. It's rated T for Teen.

Country: America, State: Virginia, City: Arlington, Place: Meadow Brook, Area: Living Room, Month: November, Day: Thursday 5th, Year: 1998, Time: 04:13 EST…

Leon pulled his ringing phone from his pocket as Brooke (The girl's babysitter) played Knights and Dragons. Seeing it was Kat he put the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Kat, making a check in?" He asked.

"Kinda. The mission's over. I'll be heading home in two days." Kat told him. "I would be home tomorrow, but…I have to quarantine here for a bit."

Leon stiffened at the words. "You're okay right?"

"Yeah. What I was investigating for my mission was not something infectious. It is just a precaution. Got a new scar out of it." Kat joked toward the end, relieving Leon greatly. "How are the girls? They doing okay with Brooke?"

"Yeah, I was just finishing up a visit with them." Leon smiled. "Wanna talk to them? Or you going to call them after me?"

"I'll be calling after you." There was a pause. "Hey, have you heard from Claire yet? I'm starting to get worried."

Leon frowned again. They really hadn't heard anything from Claire in a while. Last time was when she got on that bus at the beginning of October. "No. I haven't heard anything."

"Shit…Then she must be somewhere in Europe by now." Kat cursed. "If she doesn't contact me, she'll contact you. Watch your email or AOL." She told him.

"I will. Unless I'm on a mission." Leon agreed. "I'll let you go."

"Okay, see you maybe on the 7th. Bye." Kat told him before hanging up.

Country: America, State: Washington, City: Seattle, Place: Near Old Blue Port, Area: Espresso Lane Diner, Month: November, Day: Thursday 5th, Year: 1998, Time: 19:17 PDT…

The night was a raining and cold. So cold that the rain could turn to freezing rain if the temperature dropped any more. The small diner was still open for business. Like most of the city of Seattle, this was one of many places' coffee could be purchased. Thus, the diner was named for their coffee. Espresso Lane Diner.

A young newlywed couple pulled into the diner in their small car. The man got out of the car and opened his umbrella, blocking the rain from hitting his football jersey or soaking his hair and beard. He closed the car door then walked around to his new wife's side. He opened the door as she sighed.

"I can't believe they have this here, Tommy." She told him as she fixed her hair and joined him under the umbrella.

"I love diners." He smiled as he closed her door for her.

It was clear by their looks that they were an odd couple. He was overweight and a little unkept. She was tall, thin, and had a dress meant for a sunny beach. They walked into the diner, Tommy shaking their umbrella dry by the door.

"My hair's dry…thank god." The woman said as she stood by the door with Tommy. "It took me three hours to get it like this." She muttered as her flicked the sides a bit. "I hope they have a bar. I need a drink."

At the bartop, an off-duty cop sat and held his coffee cup. The woman behind the bar smiled and took his mug.

"Thanks for the coffee, Emily." He smiled kindly as she walked to the sink.

"Not a problem, Ted." Emily, the owner smiled as she turned on the water. "It's been so quiet since they opened that new dock for cruise ships." She sighed. "I miss the strange people we'd get in here."

"Ain't that the truth." Ted smiled as he checked his watch. "Damn…I Have to get going. My shift starts soon."

"Good night, Ted." Emily smiled.

"Good night, Em." Ted said as he got up and put his hat on.

Mae walked over to the new couple with a smile and order pad ready. "Hello, are you guys new the area?" She asked as a conversation starter while handing them their menus.

"Sorta. We're supposed to be on our honeymoon." The woman said sighed as she opened her menu.

"Ah, then congratulations." Mae smiled as she fixed a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "What can I get you both started with?"

"Do you have anything stronger than soda?" The woman asked as Tommy sighed.

"I'll have a coffee, um…" Tommy looked at the coffee list unsure. "Just a regular coffee."

Mae nodded writing it down on her note pad. "Regular coffee, do you want sugar or cream with that?"

"Yeah, Two sugar and one cream." Tommy nodded.

"Gotcha." Mae nodded and looked to the woman. "And for you, the only strong thing we have is beer, sweet tea, and lemonade."

"Sweet tea then." The woman sighed seeming sad and board.

"Okay, coffee and sweet tea, coming right up. I'll be back with your drinks." Mae smiled and head for the counter.

In the back, the fry cook, Blake, walked to the back with a bag of garbage. Just as he opened the bin he jumped as three figures appeared. He jumped and spun to them one two men and a woman. Both men looked like fishermen, one old and a bit ill looking and the other younger and healthy was supporting him. The woman had a coat on from one of the men over what looked like an evening dress, something one would were to a party or gala.

"H-hey, are you people okay?" Blake asked walked over to them.

"We…Do you have a p-phone?" The woman asked looking fearful.

"Huh, where are you from?" Blake asked as her accent sounded like it was British but not.

She shook her head. "That doesn't matter. What matters…" She whipped at her forehead. "What matters is that…" She shook her head. "I just need a phone."

Blake nodded. "Do you need…" He paused as he led them to the back door. "What's wrong with him?"

The older man in their three-person group was holding his side and looked like he might fall over any moment.

"I…I'm not sure…" The woman said shivering at a cold chill that may or may not be there. "I need a phone and he needs medical attention."

Blake nodded. "Go on ahead to the front, Tell Emily I sent you for the phone."

The woman nodded as Blake and the young fisherman helped the older into the back. The woman ran around to front and rushed through the front doors. Emily looked up at her and walked over.

"Hello, ma'am—"

"Your chief said I could use the phone. Can you take me to it?" The woman asked.

Emily blinked but nodded. "Sure dear, over here."

Country: America, State: Virginia, City: Arlington, Place: Oak Haven Apartments, Area: Leon's Apartment, Month: November, Day: Thursday 5th, Year: 1998, Time: 22:47 EST…

Leon opened his eyes groggily at the sound of his phone ringing. He groaned. He'd just gotten to sleep. He leaned over to his nightstand and grabbed his phone. Flicking it opened he put it to his ear.

"Hello?" He asked, as he hadn't looked at the ID.

"Sorry to wake you, Agent Kennedy." The voice of Benford came over the line, making him sit up quickly.

"No, I've been up for hours, Sir." Leon said forcing the tiredness from his voice.

"Good. We've got a possible mission for you." Benford told him. "We need you to come in."

"Okay, yeah. I'll be right there." Leon nodded.

Country: America, State: Virginia, City: Arlington, Place: STRATCOM HQ, Area: Briefing Room, Month: November, Day: Thursday 5th, Year: 1998, Time: 22:56 EST…

Leon took his seat and looked to Benford. "What's the mission, Sir?"

"It's in Seattle. It's only a potential one." Benford said as he turned to Leon. "And we got it very recently. So, there's no file prepared. We need you to go to Old Blue Port, there you'll find a diner called Espresso Lane Diner. Once there, you need to find the woman 'Peyton Fry'."

Leon nodded. "And then what?"

"Ask her about the ship she escaped from. She said she survived some sort of outbreak on a ship. We don't know of anything else." Benford said making Leon sit straight.

"Starlight?" He asked.

"It's very possible. She said that she had been followed by someone and they attacked her rescuers." Benford informed. "You'll be getting there on a high-speed aircraft. After questioning her and checking the attacked fishermen, you're to bring her back here along with anyone else who may know something. But Miss Fry is the priority."

Leon nodded. "Understood, Sir."

Country: America, State: Virginia, City: Arlington, Place: STRATCOM HQ, Area: Armory, Month: November, Day: Thursday 5th, Year: 1998, Time: 22:58 EST…

"So, yeah, I might not see you when you get back." Leon finished.

"No worries. We've both got gov jobs." Kat told him. "I just wish I could tell you something."

"Same. I wish I could tell you details to help you." Leon agreed.

"Hey, if it has anything to do with Black Umbrella or Starlight, we'll be able to talk. Shame I can't tell you about mine. It could prep you for what else is out there." Kat told him. "Take care okay. Just cause I know your main path doesn't mean it's set in stone."

"I know. Call you later." Leon smiled as he closed his small go bag.

"See you." Kat said before he hung up.

Country: America, State: Washington, City: Seattle, Place: Near Old Blue Port, Area: Espresso Lane Diner, Month: November, Day: Friday 6th, Year: 1998, Time: 09:58 PDT…

Peyton sat in the booth bouncing her leg up and down. She had ditched the heels in favor of the wellington boots from the fishing boat hours ago. Her cold fingers gripped the collar of the thick heavy fishermen's jacket that hugged her shoulders. Her dress wasn't great at keeping her warm.

"Here you go dear." Emily said handing her cup of hot coco.

Peyton nodded taking the cup, but not drinking from it. "Thank you."

"I still don't get why we had to stay here." Tommy said looking to the cop that now stood by the front door.

"It's a safety precision, sir." Ted said. "Dispatch is having someone come here soon. Once they get here and do whatever, you can go."

"So stupid." Tommy said as he sat back down.

He and his wife had ended up spending the night there along with the cook, waitress, and two fishermen. All because some foreigner woman made a phone call that ended with her in tears.

"Tommy." His wife hissed. "Don't be rude."

Emily at that moment went into the back to check on Blake and the injured fisherman. When she went back there, she saw that the fisherman was covered by a sheet and Blake was wrapping his forearm.

"Oh my god!" Emily gasped as she looked into the diner, and then rushed over. "Blake, what happened?" She whispered.

"He…" Blake shook his head. "He attacked me in the alley, Emily." He told her hissing as he gripped his arm. "I had no choice, the fucker bit me."

"Jesus Christ, Blake!" Emily looked to the front. "Ted's here. I-I have to tell him."

"No! No. Emily, you can't tell a cop that I killed a man." Blake hissed, as he looked bad.

"Blake…What's wrong? You're looking pretty pale." Emily said as he started to sway on his feet.

"I…I'm not…" He dropped to the floor, as he looked at his arm.

"Blake!" She moved to help him.

He let out a snarl as he lunged at her, jaw snapping.

"Blake! Get away from me!" Emily yelled, feeling her instincts telling her to get away from her long-time co-worker. She quickly backed up toward the door then turned in a panic to run.

Back in the main diner, no one heard her shouts yet. Tommy sighed as he looked to his wife.

"I'm sorry." He apologized looking down.

"About what?" She asked taking his hand.

"About snapping at you in the car. My attitude here." Tommy sighed. "I've just been stressed about the wedding."

She smiled sweetly. "That's all right, Tommy." She assured him. "I have too. I'm sorry for snapping at you and ignoring you." She snorted. "I'm just glad we remembered our vows." She tried to joke.

That's when they heard a loud scream from the back. Ted turned to the sounds along with everyone in the diner.

"Everyone stays here." Ted ordered as he drew his gun and moved to the back. "Emily?!" He called out as he reached the door, hearing clatters.

In the back, Blake grabbed Emily and bit into the side of her neck as she turned to run. She had screamed before he ripped away from her neck with a growling snarl that sounded like it came from a starved animal. She backed up passed pots and pans, knocking them to the floor, as she got loose. She got out of his grasp and grabbed the pot that was filled with boiling fry oil.

She yelled again as she spun and dumped the oil and cooking fries over Blake's head. She gripped at her bleeding neck and wheezed in horror as in her blurring vision she saw that Blake was still standing and snarling, moaning as he reached for her. Yet his head was bleeding, cooking from the hot oil that dripped down his head and onto his shoulders.

"Nooo!" She whimpered as she felt her legs shake from blood loss as her dress and apron turned more and more red as the blood poured from between her fingers.

"Freeze!" Called Ted as he saw the scene.

Blake's head rolled to its side as his sightless eyes locked on the source of the noise. Ted's eyes widened. The man before him looked like something out of the burn unit from the hospital. He backed up in shock as Blake turned to him, letting out a gurgling moan.

"The hell? Blake?" Ted asked confused and fearful.

Blake then shambled at Ted. Ted yelled before firing on Blake's chest. Blake stumbled back as Emily fell to the floor from blood loss. Ted then did the only thing that came to mind. He ran out of the kitchen and looked for a way to barricade the door.

"What's happening?" The wife, Jenny, gasped as Ted pressed his back to the doors.

"Chair, anything heavy! Put it to the door!" Ted ordered as he felt Blake bash at the doors.

With some struggle, the couple, fisherman, Mae, and Peyton got tables and chairs to the door. The stack was not good. It would fall if someone were not at them to balance the hurried barricade. The fisherman grabbed at the shitty barricade and struggled to keep it together.